Think About A Shelter Dog: Then, Please Take Care Of Fido or Fifi!

Summertime is a really good time
to think about adopting a dog from
your local animal shelter.

Because we are in tough times, there are more dogs than ever waiting to be taken home to a
loving family. You will find more purebred dogs than you expected or choose a delightful mixed breed (also called a "sport").

Humane Societies are excellent places to find a dog just right for your family. They have a form for you to fill out and you do pay a fee. The dog will be spayed or neutered and the Shelter people will try to match a dog - from its presumed age, traits, and needs - to your family.

After you bring your new family member home and have had him or her for a while, you will quickly see that the dog will add more to your household than you could ever have imagined.
Summer is a good time to adopt a dog because your children are at home, the weather is good and it is the perfect time to teach you, your children and your new pet all the things needed for him or her to become a good family member.

One thing especially important is that you remember that all dogs need identification tags on a collar and that he or she wears that all the time. Dogs deserve good, responsible care and need a fenced area to run. (Never allow a dog to run around your neighborhood. That is a sure way to be hit by a car.) Your children should learn to take their new dog for walks and how to feed and play well with him or her. Teach your children to be gentle and loving with their new pet.

There should be a child of at least ten in your household or you will be the one responsible and that is not teaching anyone anything.

Dogs do not ask for much. They want some water left down all the time, food, love and responsible ownership.

Think about it! Let this be the summer you add a new member to your family!